150 Years of the International Watch Company

150 Years of the International Watch Company

The American watchmaking pioneer, Florentine Ariosto Jones, founded the International Watch Company in Schaffhausen in 1868.
His aim was to combine Swiss craftsmanship with American manufacturing technology, which was very advanced back then, to produce the best pocket watches of his time.
IWC Schaffhausen has played a key role in shaping the quest for engineering excellence coupled with the unique entrepreneurial spirit of its founder.
Even today, its timepieces combine precise engineering with an extraordinary, timeless design.

Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie

At this year's Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, the International Watch Company presented a spectacular collection that offers 28 new references spanning 4 product families to mark its 150th anniversary. Portuguese, Portofino, Pilot's Watches and Da Vinci.
The spectrum ranges from masterpieces of haute horlogerie with constant force tourbillon, to watches with a perpetual calendar, through to traditional three-hand watches.

150th anniversary collection

All the models share a common design language: white or blue dials, which are manufactured using an elaborate lacquer process and have either blued or rhodium-plated hands.
The paintwork is applied in up to twelve layers and can best be compared to high-quality piano lacquer.
To emphasise their exclusivity, all models are available in limited quantities and have a special "150 Years" anniversary marking, which can be found on the movement plate, the oscillating weight or the case back of the watch in question.
The design of the anniversary collection is inspired by icons from the 150-year history of the manufacturer. The white enamel dials of a few historical Pallweber pocket watches served as the aesthetic blueprint for the high-quality lacquered dials in the collection.

In addition to a number of spectacular innovations, IWC's Tribute to Pallweber catches the eye with its iconic design, in particular.

Tribute to Josef Pallweber

These historical Pallweber pocket watches, which were the first to show the hours and minutes with large digits on rotating discs, are also the model for four very special references from the anniversary collection. The IWC Tribute to Pallweber Edition "150 Years" models.
Three very special wristwatches, as well as a jump-hour pocket watch, were created in line with the design of the historical Pallweber watches and as a tribute to this pioneering horological achievement. This is the first time that IWC is integrating the digital display into a wristwatch.

“…because I imagined what people in the 19th century must have felt when they saw these watches. It was a new archetype of a watch.”

– Christian Knoop, Creative Director IWC Schaffhausen

The designers at IWC Schaffhausen have developed and applied for a patent for the special 94200 movement with regard to the technically demanding creation of the digital display. It guarantees precise accuracy and a sizeable 60-hour power reserve. In honour of the American founder of IWC, F.A. Jones, the faces of the digital displays are labelled "Hours" and "Minutes".

The watches within the Tribute to Pallweber Edition "150 Years" are available in 3 different variations and in very limited quantities.
25 pieces have a platinum case with a white lacquered dial. 250 have an 18-carat red gold case, also with a white lacquered dial, and 500 pieces have a blue lacquered dial and a stainless steel case.

The official marking for IWC's 150th anniversary can also be found on the case back or as a medal on the back of the movement plate.

The IWC 94200 calibre

This special calibre is also used in the exclusive pocket watch of the Tribute to Pallweber series.
This is an acclaimed new release of the historic Pallweber pocket watch, which was first launched with a digital display in 1884.
The new edition is limited to 50 pieces, and both the case and the chain are made of 18 carat red gold.
A masterpiece of watchmaking that sums up the anniversary collection's historical inspiration.

On the occasion of its 150th anniversary this year, IWC Schaffhausen impresses with a classic and elegant special collection and skilfully sets the stage for its own company history. It will be interesting to see what other highlights this traditional manufacturer will present to us in the coming years.

Play Video150 years of the finest watchmaking art. The history of IWC Schaffhausen.